The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti, has unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections in 2024.
The manifesto, titled "APNA VOTE APNO KAY LIYE," was released in Srinagar and includes initiatives for education, women empowerment, water sustainability, youth empowerment, waste management, and road improvements.
Despite criticism and humour, including a playful remark about forgetting to mention Article 370, the manifesto says ‘PDP remains committed to representing the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.’
Referring to article 370, said PDP is committed and does not shy away from accepting that the decision taken on August 5, 2019, was unacceptable.
“Our party remains committed to facilitating the resolution of the Kashmir issue through reconciliation and dialogue with its key stakeholders,” reads the manifesto.
Daily decisions that should have been taken by the elected representatives of the state of Jammu and Kashmir are taken by Delhi, disempowers dispossess us.”
Mehbooba while addressing the media said, “The new land laws are designed to dispossess the Tribal communities as they are forced to evict their belongings, the party promises to replace the new land laws brought in by the centre-led administration.”
Like Delhi, PDP also promises to bring massive changes to the existing dilapidating infrastructure in government schools and institutions of higher education in Jammu and Kashmir.
Digital devices, especially laptops and computers will be given to government-run institutions to improve the standard of education.
Electricity which remains a major issue for the region, despite producing surplus energy J&K faces shortages of power supply in the winters and till early summers.
She added, “We will bring back the old tariffs, and also provide free electricity during winters and at subsidised rates during summers.”
Another key area remains waste management, no other party has ever talked about waste management in Jammu and Kashmir. majorly the focus has always remained on key and specific issues leaving out a range of other issues concerning the general populace.
The manifesto also focuses on women's empowerment through specialised skill centres, it promises to strengthen the existing ground structure of such schemes.
The party manifesto also promises to create recreational facilities to encourage youth in sports by improving the infrastructure and providing all necessary help they can.
The manifesto overall looks promising, and the issues raised therein are pertinent, these issues need immediate redressal through effective and well-placed mechanisms.
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